Assorting apparatus



Nov. 27, 1962 c. H. ARNOLD ASSORTING APPARATUS qlllllli Ill nllllll Ill 1 H m I H H I l uH m M m Q an fi u h/ M s w i 1; 1 A A m 8 s .J m T: u m a m s M Mm 3 r. Lrlllnll .ll P

.w/MAA A A AA M VA WWW a Q /5 R 9a a 3% Q N M H Ti Ti Tl TEA Q Am n Q S Filed NOV. 18, 1959 Nov. 27, 1962 c. H. ARNOLD ASSORTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 18, 1959 4 H. Mae 6% '5 Nov. 27, 1962 c. H. ARNOLD 3,065,851

ASSORTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 18, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Ofilice 3,665,851 Patented Nov. 27, 1962 3,065,851 ASSORTING APPARATUS Clyde H. Arnold, Rte. 1, Carhondale, Ill. Filed Nov. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 853,898 10 Claims. (Cl. 209-434) This invention relates to assorting apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for sizing fruit and vegetables such as apples, peaches and tomatoes or the like.

The invention pertains to an assorting apparatus of the type comprising an endless conveyor having openings therein and means for varying the size of the openings. Items such as apples or peaches are placed on the conveyor at one end thereof (which may be referred to as its rearward end) and are carried forward through successive sizing zones. The size of the openings is increased as the items are carried forward through the successive zones. Accordingly, the smallest size items drop through the openings in the first zone, and successively larger sizes drop through the openings in successive zones. Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of an improved apparatus of this class which is of such construction as to have a relatively high capacity for its size, being characterized in that the conveyor has a relatively large number of sizing openings in a unit area thereof; and the provision of apparatus such as described which is economical to construct and use and reliable in operation. Other objects and features will be in part ap parent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of a sheet metal blank from which a slat of the endless conveyor of the apparatus is made;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of a shutter which is incorporated in each slat of the conveyor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a completed slat as formed from the FIG. 3 blank, with the relation of the FIG. 4 shutter thereto indicated in dotted lines;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the apparatus, on a smaller scale than FIGS. 1 and 2;

:FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 1, with parts broken away and shown in section; and,

FIG. 10 is a horizontal section taken on line lit-10 of FIG. 8. 1 Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, an assorting apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention is shown to comprise a frame 1 which constitutes a support for an endless conveyor 3 of this invention. Conveyor 3 comprises a series of links or slats, each designated 5, extending transversely of the conveyor and hingedly connected together on axes extending transversely of the conveyor. It is trained around horizontal rolls 7 and 9 at .the ends of the frame 1 so as to have a generally horizontal upper reach 3a and a generally horizontal lower return reach 3b. Roll 7, which is the roll at the rearward end of the upper reach, is carried on a shaft 11 journalled at its ends in frame 1. Roll 9, which is the roll at the forward end of the upper reach, is fixed on a shaft 13 journalled at its ends in frame 1. Shaft 13 is power driven in such direction that the upper reach of the conveyor moves forward from left to right as viewed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 by means of an electric motor 15 acting through a speed reducer 17. Motor 15 and speed reducer 17 are mounted on a shelf 19 carried by frame 1. Motor 15 is connected to the inputshaft of speed reducer 17 by a belt and pulley drive 21. The output shaft of the speed reducer is connected to shaft 13 by a chain and sprocket drive 23.

Each slat 5 has inside and outside plate portions 25 which are separated from one another as indicated at 27 to accommodate a shutter constituted by an elongate fiat plate 29. This shutter 29 extends endwise in the slat, being slidable endwise of the slat and transversely of the conveyor. Each slat has a first series of triangular notches 31 spaced along one lengthwise edge thereof and a second series of triangular notches 33 spaced along its other lengthwise edge. The slats 5 are hingedly connected to gether in such manner that the notches 31 of any given slat mate with the corresponding inverted and reversed notches 33 of one of the two adjacent slats, and the notches 33 of the given slat mate with the inverted and reversed notches 31 of the other of the two adjacent slats. Shutter plate 29 has triangular notches 35 spaced along one lengthwise edge thereof and triangular notches 37 spaced along its other lengthwise edge. These shutter notches are adapted variably to register with the notches 31 and 33 in the slats on endwise sliding of the shutters thereby to provide diamond-shaped openings of variable size in the conveyor.

In accordance with this invention, the slats 5 are all identical, but, as assembled to form the conveyor 3, successive slats are inversely arranged for mating of notches 31 in any given slat with notches 33 in one adjacent slat and mating of notches 33 in the given slat with notches 31 in the other adjacent slat. Each slat 5 is formed from an elongate flat sheet metal blank 33 such as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The length of this blank corresponds to the slat length, and the overall width of the body of this blank corresponds to twice the slat width. The blank has a series of generally square-diamond-shaped openings 39 cut therein spaced along and centered on its lengthwise center line L. Each opening 39 has notches 41 extending outward from its corners on line L. The blank also has end notches 43 at the ends of center line L and holes 45 between the opening 39 at the right of the blank as shown in FIG. 3 and the adjacent end of the blank. The blank further has triangular notches 47 spaced along one lengthwise edge thereof and triangular notches 49 spaced along its other lengthwise edge. Each notch 47 is paired with a respective notch 49 (i.e., each notch 47 is aligned with a notch 49 widthwise of the blank), and the pairs of notches 47 and 49 are offset from openings 39 lengthwise of the blank. Notches 47 and 49 extend inward from the lengthwise edges of the blank between openings 39. The blank also has tongues 51 along its lengthwise edges and lengthwise slots 53 adjacent its ends.

To form a slat 5, blank 38 is bent in half on center line L but not completely flattened so that the slat is of narrow channel shape in transverse cross section, thereby providing the space or channel 27 for the shutter 29 (see FIG. 5). One half of the blank thereby becomes one plate portion 25 and the other half becomes the other plate portion 25. The diamond-shaped openings 39 in the blank are thereby halved to form the triangular notches 33 of the slat. Each notch 47 thereupon registers with a respective notch 49 to form the triangular slat notches 31. Portions of the blank between notches 41, 43 and holes 45 form projecting hinge eyes 55 along the bent margin L of the slat. Tongues 51 are bent to form hinge eyes, also designated 51, along the opposite lengthwise margin of the slat. The two slots 53 at one end of the blank and the two slots 53 at the other end of the blank come into register to form lengthwise slots 53a in the slat at its ends. In the completed slat, triangular notches 31 and 33 are staggered along the length of the slat, their depth being greater than half the width of the slat so that they are interdigitated as well as staggered. As a result, each slat may be said to be of zigzag form.

Each shutter 29 consists of an elongate flat sheet metal plate having the triangular notches 35 spaced along one lengthwise edge and the triangular notches 37 along its other lengthwise edge, with these notches corresponding in size to notches 31 and 33, and being staggered along the length of the shutter plate and interdigitated like notches 31 and 33. A shutter 29 is received in the channel 27 in each slat between plate portions 25 of the slat. At the ends of the shutter are studs 57 and 57a each constituted by a headed screw 59 and a cylindrical nut 61 threaded on the screw. Each stud is received in a respective slot 53a of the slat. This keeps the shutter in assembly in the slat, while allowing for endwise sliding of the shutter relative to the slat.

In assembling the endless conveyor 3, the slats 5 are laid out with each successive slat (containing a shutter 29 therein) reversed endwise and turned upside down as regards the preceding slat. That is, any given slat has its hinge eyes 51 along one lengthwise edge of the slat axially aligned with hinge eyes 55 along the opposed edge of one of the two adjacent slats, and the given slat has its hinge eye 55 along its other edge axially aligned with hinge eyes 51 along the opposed edge of the other of the two adjacent slats. Then, hinge pins 63 are inserted in the hinge eyes hingedly to connect the slats 5. In the assembled convevor 3, as to any given slat 5, its notches 31 mate with the inverted and reversed notches 33 in the adjacent slat on one side thereof to provide diamond-shaped openings 65 in the conveyor, and its notches 33 mate with the inverted and reversed notches 31 in the slat on the other side thereof to provide diamond-shaped openings 67 in the conveyor. Transverse rows of diamond-shaped openings 65 alternate with transverse rows of diamondshaped openings 67 throughout the length of the conveyor, and longitudinal rows of diamond-shaped openings 65 alternate with longitudinal rows of diamondshaped openings 67 across the width of the conveyor, in a diamond grid pattern. Each individual opening 65, 67 is half in one slat and half in an adjacent slat, and the arrangement is such that there may be a minimum of space between openings so that a maximum number of openings may be provided in a unit area (one square foot, for example) of the conveyor.

Extending upward from frame 1 on opposite sides of the upper reach 3a of the conveyor 3 are left and right side walls 69 and 71 (the terms left and right being used in reference to looking forward in the direction of travel of the up er reach 3a, which is toward the right as viewed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7). The right side wall 71 has a screw 72 fixed therein adjacent its rearward end and a series of screws 73 (five being shown) between screw 72 and the forward end of wall 71 extending through horizontal bushings 75. Each bushing 75 extends through a horizontally elongate slot S in wall 71 and is capable of sliding lengthwise of wall 71 in its respective slot, being retained in a pair of guides 76 on the outside of wall 71. Each screw 73 is slidable inward and outward in the respective bushing. At its inner end, each screw carries a cam track section 77 parallel to wall 71 formed of angle irons arranged to provide a downwardly opening cam groove 79. Extending up from each track section 77 is a vertical plate 81. A handwheel 83 is threaded on the outer end of each screw 73 and has an annular peripheral groove 85 receiving a lug 87 on the respective bushing 75 to hold the handwheel from axial movement. The arrangement is such that by turning the handwheel one way or the other, the respective screw 73 and the respective track section 77 may be moved in or out, the respective track section 77 being parallel and remaining parallel to the right side wall 71 as the track section is moved in or out.

Pivotally connected at their ends to the ends of the parallel track sections 77 are additional angularly adjustable track sections 89 which, in conjunction, with track sections 77, form a continuous track T extending above the right side of the upper reach 3a of the conveyor 3 from its rearward to its forward end. Each angularly adjustable section 89, like each section 77, is formed to provide a downwardly opening cam groove 79 and has a vertical plate 91 extending upward therefrom. The pivotal connections between sections 77 and 89 are constituted by vertical hinges 93 between the adjacent vertical edges of adjacent plates 81 and 91. Groove 79 in track T is adapted to receive the studs or followers 57 which are located at the right ends of the shutters 29 moving forward in the upper reach 3a of the conveyor, and track T may be adjusted in desired manner by means of the handwheels 83. For example, it may be adjusted in such manner that each successive track section '77 is offset laterally outward from the preceding section as appears in FIG. 1, the sections 89 then extending at angles with respect to the direction of travel of the conveyor. The bushings 75 are slidable lengthwise of wall 71 to permit such angling of sections 89.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the parallel track sections 77 are so adjusted that, with the studs 57 of a number of shutters 29 in the first track section 77 at the rearward end (the left end as viewed in FIG. 1) of the upper reach 3a of the conveyor 3, these shutters occupy a position of maximum advancement toward the left side of the conveyor. In this position of these shutters they partially close openings 65 and 67 in the upper reach of the conveyor, reducing the effective size of the openings in the conveyor to a minimum. This minimum opening size is maintained through zone A of the upper reach of the conveyor corresponding to the length of the first track section 77. Then, as the studs 57 ride through the first angularly adjustable track section 89, the shutters 29 are pulled laterally outward a distance corresponding to the offset of the second track section 77 from the first track section 77, thereby increasing the effective size of the openings in the conveyor to a second size somewhat larger than the minimum size. This second size is maintained through zone B of the upper reach of the conveyor corresponding to the length of the second track section 77. Then, as the studs 57 ride through the second angularly adjustable track section 89, the shutters 29 are pulled farther laterally outward, thereby increasing the effective size of the openings in the conveyor to a third size somewhat larger than the second size. This third size is maintained through zone C of the upper reach of the conveyor corresponding to the length of the third track section 77. These operations are repeated through successive zones D, E and F of the conveyor (there being six track sections 77 shown, and hence six different size adjustments).

In the last zone F, the shutters 29 are drawn out laterally to the point where the openings in the conveyor are of the largest desired size. As the studs 57 pass out of the last track section 77, and the slats come around the roll 9 and return to the roll 7, the studs 57 engage a cam edge 95 (see FIG. 10) on frame 1 which pushes the shutters back inward to the position of maximum advancement toward the left side of the conveyor so that studs 57 are repositioned for entering the first track section 77 at the rearward end of the upper reach of the conveyor.

Items such as fruit or vegetables to be sized are delivered to the trailing end of the upper reach 3a of conveyor 3 by a belt conveyor 97 driven from speed reducer 17 by a drive such as indicated at 99. The items tumble off the leading end of the upper reach of conveyor 97 and down onto the rearward end of the upper reach 3a of conveyor 3 over a partitioned chute 101 for spreading the produce across the width of reach 3a. Underneath the reach 3a at its trailing end is a belt conveyor 103 for carrying away the smaller size items dropping through the openings 65, 67 (shuttered by plates 29) in zone A. Conveyor 103 may be driven by any suitable drive (not shown). Chutes 105, 107, 109 and 111 are provided for carrying away items dropping through openings 65, 67 in zones B-E. At the leading end of reach 3a is a box 112 for collecting items which are too large to pass through openings 65, 67 as sized in zone E.

Roll 7 has end flanges 113 and 115, the left end flange 115 having a groove 117 for accommodating the heads of the left-hand screws 59. The heads of the right-hand screws 59 ride on the inside of the righthand flange 113. Groove 117 acts as a track for guiding studs 57 back into the first track section 77. Roll 9 is a cylindrical roll having a rubber sheath 119. Its length is less than the distance between the left-hand screws 59 and the right-hand screws.

Operation is as follows:

The conveyor 3 is continuously driven for forward movement of its horizontal upper reach 311 from left to right as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. As the slats of the conveyor come up around the rearward roll 7, the studs or followers 57 on the shutters 29 in the slats enter the rearward end of cam track T. As the slats move forward through zone A in the upper reach of the conveyor, the shutters occupy their position of maximum advancement toward the left side of the conveyor which determines the minimum size for the openings 65 and 67 in the conveyor. Accordingly, any items sma'ler than this minimum size drop through the openings and are carried away by belt conveyor 103. As the slats move forward out of zone A and into zone B, the shutters are pulled laterally outward by the first angled cam track section 89 to a position determining a somewhat larger size of the openings 65 and 67 in the conveyor, and remain in this position through zone B. Accordingly, any items remaining on the conveyor smaller than this size drop through the opening into chute 105. In successive zones the size of the openings 65 and 67 is successively increased in the same manner, the openings reaching their maximum size in the last zone. Items too large to drop through the openings in the last zone pass to the box 112. Finally, the shutters 29 are re turned to their minimum size opening position by cam edge 95 as they return from the forward end to the rearward end of the upper reach of the conveyor, so that studs 57 are repositioned for entry in the rearward end of track T.

From FIG. 1, it will be apparent that the conveyor 3 has a relatively large number of sizing openings 65 and 67 in a unit area (such as a square foot) thereof.

' Accordingly, the apparatus is of relatively high capacity for its size, being capable of rapidly assorting fruits or vegetables such as apples, peaches and tomatoes.

One of the features of the apparatus is that the track T is readily adjustable to provide various numbers of sizing zones to suit various requirements. For example,

length of the upper reach of the conveyor. Or, half the sections 77 and 89 could be lined up with one another and the other half line up with one another and ofiset from the first half to provide two zones. Other possible arrangements will be readily apparent. Adjustment may be carried out while the apparatus is in operation, without any possibility of jamming the apparatus, and infinite adjustment of sections 77 is possible.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In an assorting apparatus, an endless conveyor comprising a series of slats extending transversely of the conveyor and hingedly connected together on axes extending transversely of the conveyor, a shutter carried by each slat extending endwise thereof and slidable endwise of the slat and transversely of the conveyor, said slats having mating notches along the opposed edges thereof, each of the shutters having notches along opposite edges thereof adapted variably to register with the notches in the slats on endwise sliding of the shutters thereby to provide openings of variable size in the conveyor, and means for moving the shutters endwise in the course of their movement with the conveyor, said shutter moving means comprising a continuous cam track at one side of said apparatus and a follower on each shutter engageable with the track, said track comprising a plurality of individual sections hingedly connected together end-to-end to form a continuous track, certain of said sections being straight sections extending parallel to the conveyor, means mounting said certain sections for infinite adjustment laterally inward and outward relative to the conveyor while remaining parallel to the conveyor, said track being adapted to move the shutters from a minimum size opening position to a maximum size opening position as the shutters move through a portion of the path of the conveyor, and means for returning the shutters to the minimum size opening position as they return from the forward end of said portion of said path to its rearward end.

2. In an assorting apparatus as set forth in claim 1, each slat having spaced plate portions, each shutter comprising a plate positioned between said spaced plate portions of the respective slat.

3. In an assorting apparatus as set forth in claim 2, each slat being of narrow channel shape in transverse cross section, each shutter being positioned Within the channel thereby provided in the respective slat.

4. In an assorting apparatus, an endless conveyor comprising a series of slats extending transversely of the conveyor and hingedly connected together on axes extending transversely of the conveyor, said conveyor having a horizontal upper reach, an elongate shutter carried by each slat extending endwise thereof and slidable endwise of the slat and transversely of the conveyor, each slat having a first series of notches spaced along one lengthwise edge thereof and a second series of notches spaced along the other lengthwise edge thereof, the notches being staggered and interdigitated along the length of the slat, each slat having the notches of the first series mating with the inverted and reversed notches of the second series of the slat on one side thereof and having the notches of the second series mating with the inverted and reversed notches of the first series of the slat on the other side thereof, each of the shutters having a first series of notches spaced along one lengthwise edge thereof and a second series of notches spaced along the other lengthwise edge thereof, said shutter notches being staggered and interdigitated along the length of the shutter, said shutter notches being adapted variably to register with the notches in the slats on endwise sliding of the shutters thereby to provide openings of variable size in the conveyor, and means for moving the shutters endwise in the course of their movement with the conveyor, said shutter moving means comprising a continuous cam track above the upper reach of the conveyor adjacent one side of the conveyor, and a follower on each shutter engageable with the track, said track comprising a plurality of individual sections hingedly connected together end-tend to form a continuous track, each section having a downwardly opening groove, the followers of the shutters in the upper reach of the conveyor extending upward into the groove, alternate sections being straight sections extending parallel to the conveyor and being adjustable laterally inward and outward relative to the conveyor while remaining parallel to the conveyor, means for eifecting infinite adjustment of said alternate sections laterally inward and outward relative to the conveyor while remaining parallel to the conveyor and concomitantly effecting angular adjustment of the sections interconnecting said alternate sections, said track being adapted to move the shutters from a minimum size opening position through intermediate size opening positions to a maximum size opening position as the shutters move through the upper reach of the conveyor, and means for returning the shutters to the minimum size opening position as they return from the forward end to the rearward end of said upper reach.

5. In an assorting apparatus as set forth in claim 4, said notches all being triangular, said openings thereby being of diamond shape, and being arranged in a diamond grid pattern.

6. In an assorting apparatus as set forth in claim 4, each slat having spaced, interconnected inside and outside plate portions, each shutter comprising a plate positioned between said spaced plate portions of the respective slat.

7. In an assorting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, each slat comprising a sheet metal blank bent to narrow channel shape in transverse cross section, each shutter being positioned within the channel thereby provided in the respective slat.

8. A slat for an endless assorting conveyor comprising an elongate sheet metal blank bent in half on its lengthwise center line to be of narrow channel shape in transverse cross section, said slat having a first series of notches spaced along one lengthwise edge thereof and a second series of notches spaced along its other lengthwise edge, said notches being staggered and interdigitated along the length of the slat, hinge eyes formed from integral portions of the blank spaced at intervals along the lengthwise edges of the slat, and a shutter constituted by an elongate plate mounted for endwise sliding movement in the channel of the slat, said shutter having first series of notches spaced along one lengthwise edge thereof and a second series of notches spaced along the other lengthwise edge thereof, said shutter notches being staggered and interdigitated along the length of the shutter.

9. A slat as set forth in claim 8 having elongate lengthwise slots adjacent the ends thereof, and studs on the shutter slidable in the slots.

10. A slat as set forth in claim 9 wherein all the notches are triangular.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,139,510 Francis May 18, 1915 1,146,102 'Rogge July 13, 1928 1,695,371 Felde Dec. 18, 1928 2,990,955 Lauer July 4, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 118,048 Australia Jan. 18, 1944 

